I asked my dentist about an article I read recently, which suggested toothpaste was a pretty insignificant part of oral hygiene.
She agreed, outside of particular needs, toothpastes main function is improving breath smell, fluoride supplement and giving a “fresh and clean” feeling (which we associate with the standard mintiness) which is really important in habit forming.
Brushing technique, diet, regular flossing are much more important.
I haven’t ditched it as a result, though I’ve been less worried when I’ve forgotten toothpaste recently and use significant less when camping (rationalizing it as slightly less environmentally hazardous)
Definitely, as with so much else of a physical bodily nature - technique, and attention to detail is everything
Toothpaste is nice, but not in any way essential..
Salt is a reasonable substitute, some say ash even, but I've never gone so far down that particular butch-crafty route.
Plsin water will do.
I've even got this 3d visualisation of the whole interior landscape of my dentition going on, when brushing..
Almost as if envisioning it as a mini mountain range, that needs going over twice on all surfaces each time.
OK, sounds a little overblown perhaps??
But I've reached my prime (and here I'm staying
) with nairy a filling in my head yet...